DNR rules and regs

Me and some friends are planning a trip to leech lake the first weekend in march. We will be targeting perch. We usually use tip downs with crappie minnows or fatheads when we do this trip every year. Now someone in our group talked about using a tip up for perch. I told my brother that I was not sure he could legally use one… We really were not sure because to the DNR they may assume you are targeting pike or walleye which are out of season. So since I did not know the answer I called the DNR to ask them if we could use tip ups as long as we used certain minnows. The person on the phone admitted that she was the new person and had to ask someone else. after putting me on hold she came back to tell that you can use any minnows you would like. moral of the story, she told me you can target any fish you want regardless of the season you just cant keep them… This kind of confused me. This cant be right can it? Was she misinformed? Can you be ticketed for targeting species that are out of season? If anyone knows the regs on this please let me know. Can we use fathead or crappie minnows on a tip up and not get a ticket? and/or can we try and catch out of season fish just for fun? TIA

Jamie Strowbridge wrote:

Can you be ticketed for targeting species that are out of season?

Yes you can. If you have a 6″ sucker minnow on a tip up, you can get a ticket. If you are using 4/0 hooks, you could get a ticket.

Now if you are using perch sized bait and perch sized lures, you are 100% legal.

Tip ups themselves are never illegal to use. IDO did a show in Idaho using ifish pros fishing for perch.

You cannot use tip downs in MN. Those are illegal matter what you fish for.

Unless something has changed that I’m not aware of, targeting fish out of season is breaking the law.

If a CO askes what are you fishing for and I would say walleyes…it would be an easy ticket or warning. With the same tip up and bait, asked the same question and I respond with perch…no ticket.

However, I would call the local CO and ask them. Also tell them what you were told.

I’ve pretty much given up on calling St Paul or Madison unless I’m looking for a very simple answer. Many times it boils down to just one word used in the wrong spot of the question that ends up changing an answer.

Didn’t see your answer BG… And I would agree.

From the Fishing regulations booklet, page 31:
“What fishing methods are illegal?
•Intentionally fishing for a species during its closed season.”

Intentionally is subject to interpretation. Depends on the DNR officer who checks you. Do you want to risk it?

biggill wrote:

You cannot use tip downs in MN. Those are illegal matter what you fish for.

Why would tip downs be illegal? All it is a tip up using balance as a strike indicator?

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You cannot use tip downs in MN. Those are illegal matter what you fish for.

?? Really? I never heard of this. Why would a tip down be illegal?

I know that devices like an automatic fisherman or jawjacker are taboo,(but downriggers in summer are fine – wth?) but tip-downs?

As long as you are using appropriate perch sized bait/ lures you’ll be fine.
I’ve never heard that tip-downs are illegal in mn. I’ll have to do some research on that I guess…

biggill wrote:

You cannot use tip downs in MN. Those are illegal matter what you fish for.

Tip downs are perfectly legal as there is no mechanism to set the hook on them, it’s no different than a bobber other than being out of the water. I think you’re confused with an automatic fishermen.

404 ERROR wrote:

Tip downs are perfectly legal as there is no mechanism to set the hook on them, it’s no different than a bobber other than being out of the water. I think you’re confused with an automatic fishermen.

x2

I’m under the impression that all tip downs have an automatic hook setting trigger. If that’s not the case than you are absolutely right.

biggill wrote:

I’m under the impression that all tip downs have an automatic hook setting trigger. If that’s not the case than you are absolutely right.

I have 2 different types and neither one sets the hook…

biggill wrote:

I’m under the impression that all tip downs have an automatic hook setting trigger. If that’s not the case than you are absolutely right.

A tip down does NOT have a hook setting function. It is simply a holder to hold a “balanced” fishing rod setup. A jaw jacker, automatic fisherman and their homemade variations all are hook setting devices. A quick google search will illustrate the differences.